We cannot let this guy go, he’s a great asset for the playoffs and crunch time.
These are the type of players that win Stanley Cups, not Radek Bonk or Mike Riberio.
There will be hell to pay if he signs for Ottawa, Boston or the Leafs.
Him not getting signed already is unacceptable.

If he signs with another Northeastern team then it would be a tradgedy. NOt because he so amazing or anything but because he is a contributor and is exactly the type of player a team needs to become complete. IF you look around the league at the top teams they are not full of just electrying players, they have those strong wiled 20-25 goal men that seem to come up big when it counts. If Ottawa gets him it will be a day to sorrow.

forget about dumont @ 2.5+ million how about OWEN NOLAN @ 2 million hes thinking of signing with the coyotes thats the guy montreal needs a strong tough forward who can hit and score sometimes i wonder even under the management of gainey what the f#$k aren you doing already samsonov what a waste of money the guys a little twirp ,yes he can score but like every other player like him who comes montreal his fate is doomed, the management should change a couple of key players for once in the last 5 years KOIVU,SOURAY,RIVET, RIBEIRO,AND JUST IN CASE NOBODY FORGETS KOIVU AGAIN!!!!!
THE GUY HAS HEART BUT REMEMBER @ 4.75 MILLION ANYONE HAS HEART THE GUY SUCKS HIS FATE IS ALSO DOOMED ON OUR TEAM , if he was on another team he would have a breakout year on any team but ours, why because to many europeon players on one team equals breaktime , don’t believe me go to europe to see what i mean
anyways time to really change it up im sure CARBO is going to do a great job but it wont make a difference we need good solid defence that CAN SKATE…(SOURAY SUCKS), AND A CAPTAIN WHOS BEEN THERE DONE THAT (KOIVU SUCKS)
and thats that i really want to see our team win but a this rate we’ll have to wait till KOIVU RETIRES!!@#$$% AS@HOL$

You cannot build a team by signing players just so that others do not! In case the Habs don’t sign him, I guess the braintrust will have decided that he does not fit in to the current system, or his salary expectations did not fit the budget. In any case, it’s not that Dumont wouldn’t be an asset to the team, but when you consider other options, I don’t see him as the piece of the puzzle the Habs really need… like a top-line center.

And everyone thinks that Leafs fans are bad. Everyday its “Dumont will sign with the Habs”. Don’t count on it. If it does happen, then good for you, but more than likely it will not happen. Maybe the Leafs will get him……. we can give you guys Antropov as thank you gift. Go Leafs Go.

I’ve been checking this website for a while. I was hoping the Habs could land some good/great players (I’m pretty disappointed). I’m caught up in the media (French) hype that’s wants Dumont. But, think about it, he scores an average 20 or so goals a year. Is he worth it? Yes. People talk about Koivu and he’s the guy with all the heart (aver. 20 goals). He has had his time and it’s time to trade him. MTL won’t win a cup with Koivu as captain and the go-to-guys are Europeans. Get some Canadians boys on the team (and I don’t mean just francais-canadien: how about the Ontarian/prairies boys). Guys with grit, who are willing to get down and dirty to win. Also, the Canadians have to give some younger players a chance. Kovelez is gone in about 18 months…Bob: do the right thing!

We can’t let Dumont get away! And especially not to Toronto or Ottawa! That would be a shame, and a hoorible mistake by Gainey. Get rid of Bonk, or Ribeiro, so you can free up cap room, and go get Dumont, PLEASE!W e still need another center. Where or who is that player going to be? If we go into the season like we are now, plan to play golf in April!

EVER HEAR OF CRAP AS IN MONTREAL CANADIANS ARE CRAP SINCE 95 !!!!!
HOW BOUT THAT ONE

AS FOR CAP DO YOU THINK KOIVU IS WORTH OR LETS JUST SAY PLAYS AS GOOD AS LETS SAY THORNTON, LECALVALIER, SAKIC, MARLEAU, NASLUND, ETC….I DONT THINK SO BUT HE IS PRETTY MUCH IN THE SAME SALARY CATEGORY, WHY CAUSE HE HAD FREAKIN CANCER COME ON…. MAYBE IF HE DID HAVE CANCER WE COULD HAVE FINALLY GOT RID OF HIM
BUT PAYING 5 MILLION A YEAR TO SOME EUROPEON SMUCK , INSTEAD OF GETTING SOME REAL CANADIAN BOY OVER 5’10 INCHES TO OUR CANADIENS CAPTAIN WE HAVE OUR PRETTY BOY WHO JUST SUCKED HIS WHOLE CAREER AND HE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS OR ELSE HE WOULD HAVE WANTED TO BE TRADED BY NOW

SO GET RID OF HIM AND VOILA 5 MILLION DOLLARS FREE SPACE WOW YOU CAN SHOP A REAL BIG TIME NAME FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY

HABS WE WANT TO SEE YOU WIN BUT NOT WITH A BUNCH OF F$%KING WEINERS ON THE TEAM THERES ONLY LIKE 3-4 GRITTY PLAYERS WHICH IS A SHAME THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 7-10 OF THEM ANYWAYS WHAT DO I KNOW IM JUST F$#KING PISSED THAT ALL FREE AGENT SEASON AND JUST, JOHNSON (DECENT), & SAMSONOV(KOIVU#2) WTF!?!?????

peterman I know we all want Stanley but picking on Koivu is not gonna help.
He is the heart and soul of MTL, a leader on and off the ice.
I do agree with you that we need more Canadiens on the team, no matter the area.
How about keeping Koivu as a second line centre and getting rid of Ribeiro?
All we need is a 1st line centre and a player like Dumont to compete for Lord Stanley.

Chipchura could be our boy, we’ll see this season.
Don’t forget Higgins also is a natural centre.
Right now let’s start by signing Dumont and shipping out Ribeiro and Bonk.

peterman…both your posts are about the most incoherent blogging I’ve ever seen online. Not an once of anything you say makes sense. Who is Dumont – the second coming of Rocket Richard? I suppose you’d blame Koivu for getting an eye injury! I think any team needs to be grown, taught, and guided in order to win. If you don’t understand that mentality, go cheer for the Leafs.

Remember those three Olympic medals that Dumont won including that silver one last year (2006) when he was captain of the national team. Remember the Gold Medal that Dumont won at the 1995 Ice Hockey World Championship where he was named the tournament all star. Remember also Dumont won the Masterton award in 2001 and that he also donated $8 million dollars that he had raised to buy a PET scan for the Montreal General Hospital after his battle with cancer. Yeah, let’s get him on our team, and dump this Koivu guy!

Blaming Koivu for the Canadiens’ problems is insane as are people who write letters all in capitals. We all saw how well the Canadiens did in the playoffs last year once he went out of the lineup (0W-4L). Perhaps Mr. Peterman, if Koivu had any talent around him, you wouldn’t be saying those things, and you might, in fact, see just how average that Ryder and Higgins are without him.

Dumont becoming a Hab was a fallacy that was created by the French media in Montreal who have been looking for another “one year wonder” like Stephane Richer for over a decade now.

just for the record ROB Koivu hasn’t done anything yet that should net him the kind of money he is making ,theres alot of other players out there worth more than him and it seems that everyone he plays with sucks,except him ,you always got to work around the captain ,the precious SAKU and he didn’t even hit the 30 goal mark yet in a season once in his 13 year injury prone career, sure his stats look decent @ 460 points / in 569 games but he isnt and never will be what the HABS NEED(if just maybe put him next to Lecavalier or someone like 5-10 inches taller and stronger than him then just maybe Koivu could come out of his shell just because hes got someone to look over his shoulder… so go suck KOIVU’S DI$k if you like him that much!!!! but as far as for the team the guy stinks he might not be the main factor canadiens stink but, at least 70 % why
we need the change of CAPTAINS ,A REAL CANADIAN captain ,that not only wants the BIG $$$$$ but someone born to win, not born to be paid to just play the game( EUROPEON WIMPS OUT THERE!!!)
as for defence our prospects are all we got the rest excluding MARKOV,KOMI,BOULLION,HUET AIBESCHER stink SOURRAY &RIVET (DUMB & DUMBER)come on you cant get any stupider than these guys how many times have you seen these guys make horrible decisions on D THE WORST IN THE LEAGUE
come on now HABS we are supposed to be the GODS of hockey, the MOst Respectable club ,but right now all is in the past and 93 was it!
WE DONT WANT TO BE LIKE TORONTO GAINEY TAKE THE CHANCES MAKE THE BIG TRADES DO SOMETHING FOR OUR TEAM THIS YEAR WOULD BE A START

Dear Peterman, If you want a Canadian Captain for the Habs then I suggest you phone Bob Gainey and tell him that you have had enough of this wimpy Koivu from Europe….and that you would prefer A REAL CANADIAN captain by the name of Mikey Ribeiro….now there is a real man and a real leader! I know sarcasm is the lowest form of humour but I think you should get your head out of your *** and show a little respect for the captain of the Canadiens. Ive had it with people bashing Koivu…the man is a leader and has been through a hell of alot over his career…and remember its not all about how many points he puts up, its also about the intangables that he brings to the team. GO HABS GO!! and GO KOIVU GO!!

Huh??: “… come on you cant get any stupider than these guys how many times have you seen these guys make horrible decisions on D THE WORST IN THE LEAGUE”.

Now, I don’t usually stoop to these arguments, and the Habs definately have room to improve defensively, but 12th of 30 teams in 2005-6 is not a bad showing. In fact, apart from some lousy outings by Theo (remember him?) and a few highlight reel flubs by Souray (who’s an offensive weapon the Habs can ill-afford to be without — his adjustment to the “New NHL” will be complete this year), the defense was excellent and looks to improve this year (assuming Bouillon can return soon and healthy).

OK, I promise to calm down. I went a little beserk at the mere suggestion that Owen Nolan was going to be the answer to the Habs’ woes… I thought the Habs management had correctly moved onto the philosophy that TEAMS not specific individuals win Stanley Cups… Maybe Trevor Linden would come back to Montreal??? Get real!

Peterman: If You’re going to rant, at least LEARN HOW TO SPELL! Koivu may not be the greatest goal scorer, but he does pump up the team, and without him, we have nothing. We will have a descent team, not a great team, but an okay team. Don’t expect miracles!

Wow i cant believe what i am reading (captain cancer?)That has to be one of the lowest things i have ever heard considering most of us have lost loved ones to cancer.You should be really carefull of what you say you never know what YOUR future may hold my friend.Anyways this is what i dont get before gainey signed johnson and samsonov ppl were complaining that gainey was not doing anything but when he did sign those two players ppl were happy for a DAY and now they want more.And i bet if tommorow the habs signed dumont ppl would be complaning the very next day of why we havent signed the next RUMOURED player to montreal.I have said this before gainey will start the season as is and will make any adjustments from there.

Peterman obviously knows about as much of hockey and class as he knows about spelling. Delete this brainless twerp from the blog and make the rest of us bloggers happy. I say we just ignore the little kid’s comments without response as we discuss the topics at hand.

PACTUM I would be happy with just Dumont and no other player afterwards.
You have to agree that a jewel like Dumont don’t fall on your lap every day.
Begin and Dumont on the same line would be a nice mix.
I hope Bob can make some space, time is running out.
Cross your fingers as J.P will make a decide within the next couple of hours.

Peterman is appropriately named. A captain is chosen for his ability to lead. Koivu’s never-say-die attitude has taken several mediocre Habs teams further than they deserved to go. He has been injury prone and that is because of the way he plays the game- he is aggressive and fearless. He leads by example. Perhaps a Dick-man would prefer a pussy for the captaincy? What’s Cluade Lemieux up to these days?

peterman’s comments have left me speechless. He obvioulsy knows nothing about this game and better learn to give respect where needed. Not only that he should learn how to spell. He should do us all a favor and stay off this blog!

Koivufan- Actually, I dont think nilan is a leaf fan. I think the joke is that 3 games into the season the leafs will realize they have another pathetic product on the ice. Therefor, with nothing better to do with their time, they will gravitate here.
Peterman- That is really tasteless. Criticize the player- such is your right. But making light of a guy’s battle with cancer? I cant freakin stand Tie Domi, but I dont want him to die. Perhaps if you had a family member who has been through the struggle Koivu has gone through you would refrain from that kind of comment, regardless of your opinions about his quality of play.
Pactum- agreed. We are looking at the lineup, maybe a few additions from Hamilton, et al. I think it is unrealistic at this point to think any major moves will happen. Will be interesting to see how the Habs come out of the gate this season.

Peterman the Laffs haven’t won anthing since they traded and disgraced the big “M” Your words are insulting about “KOIVU” and to ALL hockey fans alike. Cancer.Jeez sick man get a Life.!Just how LOW can you go. Anyone that takes care of this BLog Ban this Idiot!!There is a line and he has crossed it…period. WE all have known friends and family that have suffered with cancer.

I’m sick and tired of all these guys like peterman who think the Habs should get rid of guys just because they’re European and think they’ll just magically get quality superstar Quebecers and Canadiens in return.

Guess what, the 70′s are over! There will never be another dynasty. There will never be another great Habs team that wins 4 cups in a row. Those days are over! The NHL is turning into the NFL were you have to build through the draft and Bob is doing that. He’s drafted a heck of a lot of North Americans in the draft.

‘Captain Cancer’ was below the belt and completely uncalled for. Koivu has one of the biggest hearts in the game and it’s a shame he hasn’t been surrounded by quality talent till now. is he worth 4.75 million? In my opinion no. But should they trade him? Absolutly not! It’s not like they’ll get Sakic or Iginla for him.

But I do think they should get rid of Ribs, move Higgins back to centre and sign Dumont because a French Canadian wanting to play for the Habs is a rare thing these days since they’re put under so much pressure to be the next Rocket Richard, Lafleur or Patrick Roy.

Yes comments about someone’s misfortune or uncalled for, people need to remember its just a game grow up and stop attacking people. As for the habs I am sure Bob will make the right moves and we see that the team is already a better one and we are not done yet.

I want everyone to read the 24th post by nilan.It says it all about our captain.He has taken borderline habs teams alot further that ppl thought they would go.Its not always about how many points you get but by how your team respones to leadership.Personally i think koivu deserves every penny.GREAT POST NILAN.Its really nice to read these comments from all of you who have some hockey sense of our boys.Oh ya by the way i cant really blame guys like peterman pretending to be hab fans……………….would you ever admit you were a leaf fan:(

I want everyone to read the 24th post by nilan.It says it all about our captain.He has taken borderline habs teams alot further that ppl thought they would go.Its not always about how many points you get but by how your team respones to leadership.Personally i think koivu deserves every penny.GREAT POST NILAN.Its really nice to read these comments from all of you who have some hockey sense of our boys.Oh ya by the way i cant really blame guys like peterman pretending to be hab fans……………….would you ever admit you were a leaf fan?:(

No problem. It actually made more sense to me the second time I read it for some reason!

Ditto for everything nilan says being the truth. The contract given to him by Gainey served many purposes other than simply enumerating Saku. It rewarded his courage, dedication, and leadership. It assured that the future leadership of the team wasn’t in doubt. It showed the organization was committed to, and believed in Koivu. The attached no trade clause was an act of faith.

One big misunderstood fact regarding Koivu’s play and performance is that often his work consists of stopping the other teams best lines. If he were to be available for trade (contract notwithstanding), 20 teams would be calling!

Thanks for the props. How many playoff games did we win after Koivu took the stick in the eye? That is not a coincidence.
Anybody familiar with O’Byrne? I remember the name but not much else. Is he NHL calibre? Any update on Bouillon?